Kansas City Marks 10 Years of Rideshare Services Amid Rising DUI Concerns

Kansas City Reflects on a Decade of Rideshare Services

As Kansas City celebrates the 10-year anniversary of rideshare giants Lyft and Uber, it’s a good moment to look back at their impact on transportation and public safety in the metro area. While many locals imagined these services would have a huge influence, particularly on reducing DUI arrests, the reality tells a different story.

Rideshare Service Milestones

It was April 2014 when Lyft first started picking up riders in Kansas City. Soon after, Uber followed suit in May. Fast forward ten years, and it seems there wasn’t much fanfare from either company for this milestone—a missed opportunity for a celebration! Although Uber didn’t respond to inquiries, Lyft shared some interesting highlights from its 2024 Missouri Economic Impact Report, shedding light on how they’ve shaped local transportation.

Lyft indicated that 81% of riders with disabilities feel more independent since using the service, and an impressive 96% reported greater access to transportation. Furthermore, it’s noted that 54% of riders fall within the 18 to 34 age range. This is significant since individuals aged 16 to 34 are linked to nearly half of all alcohol-involved fatal crashes in the U.S. where the driver was over the legal limit.

DUI Arrest Numbers Tell a Different Story

When rideshare services launched in the area, many local attorneys held the belief that DUIs would see a significant decline. Surprisingly, the arrest data suggests the opposite. In 2013, before rideshare services arrived, Kansas City recorded 982 DUI arrests. Jump to last year, and that number skyrocketed to 1,391 DUI arrests.

Sergeant Blake Brownlee, the KCPD’s DUI Section Supervisor, weighed in on the data, mentioning that rideshare options have helped but are not a catch-all solution. “The rideshare options have helped, but it’s not going to eliminate impaired driving,” he stated, also pointing out that the recent trend of decriminalizing marijuana has contributed to the uptick in DUIs.

The numbers show a concerning trend since 2020. That year alone registered 1,046 DUI arrests, while the following year jumped to 1,335, with 40% linked to crashes. The stats flattened in 2022 with 1,333 arrests. Sergeant Brownlee also noted a new challenge: “We’re hearing from arrestees that they don’t understand why they’re being arrested since marijuana is legal.” He stressed that legal substances don’t excuse impaired driving.

Fighting Misinformation and Raising Awareness

Reckless driving is a growing concern, especially among younger people. Brownlee highlighted that many believe driving while under the influence of marijuana is acceptable, which shows a critical need for education, particularly about what constitutes impaired driving.

Jerod Breit, Regional Executive Director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), echoed these sentiments. He called for increased funding for DUI checkpoints and awareness campaigns targeting the younger generation. MADD has been active in offering free educational material to schools and partnering with rideshare companies to promote safer partying.

“The rideshare apps have been the second-best tool in avoiding impaired driving,” Breit explained, but emphasized that planning ahead remains crucial. Recent internal data reveals that Gen Z drivers are less concerned about impaired driving, and MADD aims to revitalize school programs that instill safe habits from an early age.

Good News on the Horizon?

Despite the challenges, there may be a glimmer of hope. Recent data for 2024 indicates that DUI arrests have decreased to 845 this year, a notable drop from 1,058 during the same period last year. As Kansas City continues to navigate the complexities of impaired driving and rideshare services, raising awareness and fostering education will be critical in shaping safer roads for everyone.

With the reality of impaired driving still looming large, both the community and organizations like MADD are working tirelessly to bring awareness and understanding on what it means to drive sober. It’s a shared responsibility that requires everyone to play their part.